Phil Simpson of Trumbull protests the proposed cell tower outside police headquarters on Edison Road in Trumbull on Monday, October 31, 2011. Simpson's sign refers to the fact that First Selectman Timothy Herbst asked residents not to trick or treat on Halloween for safety reasons. less

Phil Simpson of Trumbull protests the proposed cell tower outside police headquarters on Edison Road in Trumbull on Monday, October 31, 2011. Simpson's sign refers to the fact that First Selectman Timothy ... more

The destruction wrought by the historic snow storm that ripped through the state over weekend had far-reaching ramifications for thousands of children: the last-minute cancellation of trick-or-treating in several towns around the state.

Though Connecticut Light & Power crews worked feverishly around-the-clock to restore power, more than 740,000 customers were still sitting in the dark Monday morning. Town officials warned against trick-or-treating, citing rampant power outages, unsafe road conditions and toppled trees.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy says that even the Governor's Residence will not be handing out candy on Monday night.

"No amount of candy is worth a potentially serious or even fatal accident," said Malloy said in a press release released Monday. "With about 40 percent of power out in the Capital City, Cathy and I are heeding Mayor Segarra's decision and have decided not to open the residence to trick-or-treaters tonight."

The mansion is typically a popular destination for trick-or-treaters.

Related Stories

"The storm hit at an unfortunate time for children. Many children are not in school and are missing those celebrations. If your community is moving forward with the Halloween celebration, and you are a parent, a grandparent or an adult supervisor, no child should be participating in any Halloween event without direct and constant supervision from the parent," Malloy said at a news conference Monday morning. "There are dangerous situations out there. We've asked mayors and first selectmen to make the call in their own communities with respect to whether it's going forward or not. But we want anyone who is participating to be safe and the best way to do that is with parental or adult supervision."

In Danbury, Mayor Mark Boughton advised residents on Twitter to, "go to the Mall from 4 to 6 pm. Please do not go out trick or treating."

For their part, mall officials have been stockpiling candy, in anticipation of the throngs of goblins and ghouls that are expected to trick-or-treat inside the mall.

"We have stocked up on our supplies of candy, and we've asked our retailers to do the same," said Melissa Eigen, marketing manager for Danbury Fair mall. "A lot of people have stopped by, that don't think they're going to get trick-or-treaters...(to) drop off their candy.

"It's certainly been a community effort," she said.

According to Eigen, past events have attracted "anywhere from 1,000 to 2,000" costumed children and parents.

Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi has urged townspeople not to trick or treat Monday. Also, the Halloween party sponsored by the Ridgefield police department scheduled to be held at the community center has been canceled.

Newtown First Selectwoman Pat Llodra canceled the town's traditional trick-or-treating on Main Street. Llodra is working with borough warden Jim Gaston to determine whether the event will be rescheduled for next weekend.

"Snow is still blocking many sidewalks and use of the roadway for (trick-or-treating) would be unsafe at this time," said Newtown police Lt. George Sinko in a press release. "The possibility of tree limbs falling and slippery surface conditions contribute to the unsafe conditions."

New Milford will be holding its "Trunk-or-Treat" event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the town green. "If you choose to trick-or-treat with your children this evening, please use your best judgement based on your neighborhood conditions. Children should be accompanied by an adult," according to a message from town officials.

The town of Seymour cancelled its annual "Trick n Trunk" event, and town officials are asking residents not to trick or treat because of hazardous conditions, according to its emergency management office.

Oxford town officials are also advising residents to stay in and not go trick-or-treating because of widespread power outages, and downed wires and tree limbs.

Trumbull First Selectman Tim Herbst, who declared a state of emergency for his town, said they are strongly encouraging residents to not take children out Monday evening for trick-or-treating.

"With high winds ... and tree limbs still being a major issue, in the interest of the safety of the children and their parents, we believe this course of action is appropriate," according to Herbst's message on the town website and in a phone recording to residents. Herbst said the town will try to reschedule Halloween celebrations.

The Westfield Trumbull Mall will be holding its "Safe Trick-or-Treat at the Mall," from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday. Children ages 16 and under, accompanied by a parent or guardian, will be welcomed to trick-or-treat at the mall. Each participating retailer will display an orange pumpkin in one of its store windows.

In a Code Red message to Monroe residents, First Selectman Steve Vavrek asked that Halloween be celebrated Nov. 5, because of the dangerous conditions in the town. Westport town officials sent out a notice to residents asking them to do the same thing, citing the "possibility of falling tree limbs, slippery surface conditions, and electrocution hazards," according to a town press release.

In Stratford, which avoided the brunt of the storm, trick-or-treating is still on.

"For those in Stratford without power, our Fire Houses will be opened as warming centers if you need to stop in and warm up for a bit," Mayor John A. Harkins said on the town's Facebook page. "Halloween is still on, however I urge anyone going out to please avoid the areas that are without power and to take all other necessary precautions as usual."

Mayor Jim Della Volpe said in an email,"Halloween has not be cancelled in Ansonia," but added he wants to remind residents to "to please be careful while the trick or treaters are out on the streets tonight." He wished residents a Happy Halloween and asked them to drive slow.